EMERGENCY
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Sioux Falls, SD
EMERGENCY
I am on my way from Minneapolis to SiouxFalls and I am experiencing a very bad vibration. When my foot is just on the throttle. When I am accelerating no vibration and when I am coasting no vibration. vibration gets worst with speed. I need to get home for graduation tonight, what do I do?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Just keep 'er floored!
Seriously what kind of vibration? Where are you feeling it? Is it a vibration or a shake?
Sounds like it might have something to do with the driveshaft(s). Carrier bearing or u-joint going out maybe.
Seriously what kind of vibration? Where are you feeling it? Is it a vibration or a shake?
Sounds like it might have something to do with the driveshaft(s). Carrier bearing or u-joint going out maybe.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Sioux Falls, SD
It is definitely a vibration/rattle, it is kinda like a grinding almost. i am pretty sure it is the drive shaft but it got bad really fast. I am just worried it is something in the differential. I opened the fill plug on the differential and the fluid was very runny and brown is this normal? the diff was very hot as well, but that is not too surprising. because i am driving on the interstate. should the diff be that hot? What color should the fluid be? and What should the fluid level be?(I had to stick my finger down in the hole to check the fluid)
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Diff oil should be up to plug level. Should be pretty thick oil. Any color is ok. There arnt any other fluids to mix back there.
Diffs do get pretty hot. 200*+ is normal. Even close to 300 when towing heavy, fast, in warm weather.
Diffs do get pretty hot. 200*+ is normal. Even close to 300 when towing heavy, fast, in warm weather.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 56
From: East Tawas, MI
Get under it and start cranking on the drive shaft. If you can block the tires and put it in N. Turn the rear shaft and see if it wiggles around forcefully.
Check your U joint straps (especially your rear) for firmness of the bolts.
My rear had straps that had to be replaced and the yokes peened because it was worn due to poor installation that bellowed them out.
Had exactly the same symptoms. On throttle and off throttle no vibe. Cruising, it made a milkshake at 65 plus.
Hope it helps.
I did have to get a new diff yoke because it kept recurring even with new u-joints.
Denny (GL)
Check your U joint straps (especially your rear) for firmness of the bolts.
My rear had straps that had to be replaced and the yokes peened because it was worn due to poor installation that bellowed them out.
Had exactly the same symptoms. On throttle and off throttle no vibe. Cruising, it made a milkshake at 65 plus.
Hope it helps.
I did have to get a new diff yoke because it kept recurring even with new u-joints.
Denny (GL)
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 438
Likes: 2
From: Sioux Falls, SD
LS diff. I can't really do anything about any of that right now no matter what it is, I will just have to keep driving till i get home and hope it doesn't get any worse. I hope it is just something minor relating to the driveshafts and not the diff. Well see though i guess. Thanks
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From: On the Edge of the Desert
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Posting Guru
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From: Bastrop, Texas (Austin,TX
I won't drive around with even a slight thought that my U-joints are going bad. I've seen some nasty carnage from a blown U-joint. It only takes a second to crawl underneath to take a look.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 52
From: Sacramento Delta, CA
You have 4x4.
I had an Intl Scout develop bad vibration from bad ujoints in the rear drive line.
I marked and then dropped the rear drive line, put it in the back.
And drove home front wheel drive (with the hubs locked and in 4x4 high). Nothing bad happened. It was freeway and straight although dry pavement.
So you may want to keep that option up your sleeve pending what others say. Good Luck.
I had an Intl Scout develop bad vibration from bad ujoints in the rear drive line.
I marked and then dropped the rear drive line, put it in the back.
And drove home front wheel drive (with the hubs locked and in 4x4 high). Nothing bad happened. It was freeway and straight although dry pavement.
So you may want to keep that option up your sleeve pending what others say. Good Luck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
Yeah....way too much. Chances are the u-joints are toast too. They looked fine on the truck, but when I pulled the drive shaft off they needle bearing were falling out around the caps, and had way too much play as well.